What’s at Stake
America’s Foreign Service is under threat—and the consequences are already unfolding. When we weaken the diplomats and development professionals who safeguard our security, promote our economy, and uphold our values, we put our own future at risk.
The threats are real, the damage is mounting, and the time to act is now.
The Threat
The administration’s rapid-fire policy decisions have directly undermined the Foreign Service workforce and its ability to deliver for the American people. Efforts to dismantle key foreign affairs agencies—such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Agency for Global Media—have been coupled with hiring freezes, reductions in force, disinformation campaigns, and initiatives to politicize the career workforce.
Between January and April alone, the Foreign Service lost more than 20 percent of its 17,000-strong workforce.
As China and Russia double down on exerting global influence, the administration’s decisions are jeopardizing our national security—crippling the workforce, hollowing our readiness, and leaving us exposed in a world that grows more complex by the day.
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National Security
Undermined and Under Threat
Our diplomats are America’s first responders in global crises—preventing conflict, protecting Americans abroad, and keeping threats off our shores. When the Foreign Service is disrupted, we lose a critical line of defense, leaving military force as our only option.
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Economic Stability
Dollars Lost, Doors Closed
A strong Foreign Service drives economic growth by opening markets abroad, supporting exports, and facilitating travel and investment. Cutting this workforce means fewer deals for U.S. businesses, fewer jobs at home, and billions lost in global revenue.
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American Values
Less Democracy, More Disinformation
Our diplomats and development professionals promote free expression, human rights, and a rules-based global order. When their voices are silenced, authoritarian regimes fill the vacuum—spreading propaganda and undermining democracy.
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Competitive Advantage
When America Pulls Back, Adversaries Step In
Every canceled assignment, slashed development program, or closed post is a win for competitors like China and Russia. While we scale back, they step in—securing influence, setting standards, and reshaping the global order without us.
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Long-Term Consequences
Talent Drain, Lasting Pain
Diplomatic expertise takes years to build—and seconds to lose. Gutting the Foreign Service means losing the relationships, language skills, and cultural fluency that make American leadership possible.